FG, Global Fund sign over 71m dollars grant for HIV, TB, Malaria

January 25th, 2019

By Hassan Zaggi

In an effort to control Tuberculosis (TB) epidemic in Nigeria, the federal government and Global Fund (GF) have signed a funding support agreement amounting to $71,216,215 towards combating HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria for the period of two years- 2019- 2020.

Speaking at the ceremony in Abuja, recently, the Minister of State, Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, disclosed that TB ranks as the 9th leading cause of death globally and the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, ranking above HIV/AIDS.

According to the Minister, “TB has turned many children to orphans, taken many bread winners away with severe consequences on the economy of families and also on the economy of the nation. This trend must not be allowed to continue.”

He noted that over the years, the National TB and Lebrosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) through the support of several partners including the World Health Organisation (WHO), Global Fund has achieved remarkable success in the control of TB in the area of policy development, capacity building , expansion of services and provision of quality care while addressing the need of vulnerable groups and the key populations.

The Minister disclosed that Global Fund has committed a total of US$ 245,997,701 to TB control response in Nigeria since the inception of GF support to TB in 2005.

“Through this investment and in collaboration with other partners ,the country has treated over one million Nigerians with drug resistant TB on quality treatment till date,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the Head of Grant Management, Global Fund, Mark Edington, commended the federal government for the prompt release of her 2018 counterpart fund.

He, however, appealed for more commitment from state governments towards the programme so as to end the scourge in the country.